Archive for category: General News

Please find a link to the latest Town & Parish Briefing

A village meeting with West Northamptonshire Council has been arranged for Monday 16th March – 8pm, at the Loder Hall, Maidwell.  This will be an excellent opportunity for you to raise any concerns that you have about the A508 directly with the WNC and members of the Highways teams.  We are hoping that a representative of Northamptonshire police will also attend.  We have also invited Stuart Andrew, our local MP – his office has indicated that his attendance will depend on parliamentary business taking place that evening.

 

The Parish Council have had ongoing dialogue with Highways and other relevant agencies for a number of years about traffic through the village and as a result, a number of actions have been implemented;

• the speed limits have been reduced from 50, through 40, to 30 mph.
• gateways have been built at either end of the village to reinforce that drivers are entering a residential area
• hatchings have been placed along the side of the road to create an impression of narrowing
• a 40 mph limit was introduced on the south side of the village as it was felt the 30 mph limit was too extensive and was not complied with
• Speed Indicator Devices have been placed at the north end of the village and in the village to encourage drivers to slow down and to provide us with detailed speed data.

There has also been a programme of repairs over the last 18 months which were recently completed. We have been appreciative of Highways support in working with us to implement changes. We also have regular visits from the police speed van, which is the most effective deterrent in terms of speed through the village.

 

Residents continue to raise concerns about the volume and speed of HGV’s that travel through the village, particularly at night. Their weight, combined with the uneven road surface, creates tremendous noise and residents indicate that their properties shake and have cracks. The A14 repairs over the next 4 months mean that overnight traffic through the village has increased significantly and this is a further concern. Residents also report that the current road surface creates greater noise than previous surfaces that have been in place.

 

In addition, there are concerns about the speed of vehicles leaving the village to the south, ignoring speed limits and completing dangerous overtaking manoeuvres past the crossroads to the south end, due to frustrations over vehicles in front complying with the speed limit.

 

Given ongoing concerns raised by residents, the Parish Council felt that it would be constructive to hold a meeting so that residents can express their concerns and frustrations directly to WNC/Police and hear directly what they have to say.  We would encourage you to attend if you wish to raise any issues.

If you require any further information or have any questions about the evening, please contact one of the councillors or the Parish Clerk.

Maidwell with Draughton Parish Council

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Local Plan consultation offers a chance to shape West Northamptonshire’s future

People who live and work in West Northamptonshire are being invited to take part in an important consultation that will help shape how the area grows and develops over the coming decades.

West Northamptonshire Council has launched an eight-week consultation on its new Local Plan, which opened on Thursday 29 January. The Local Plan will guide key decisions on where new homes are built, jobs located, how town centres are regenerated, how transport and infrastructure are planned, and how green spaces and local character are protected.

As demand for housing, employment land and services continues to increase, the Local Plan will play a central role in managing growth and directing investment. Taking part in the consultation gives communities a genuine opportunity to influence decisions that will affect everyday life now and in the future.

The consultation runs until 27 March and a series of public drop-in events are being held across West Northamptonshire to help people find out more and share their views:

• Monday 2 February – Moulton Community Centre, Moulton, NN3 7AX (1:30–4:30pm)
• Friday 6 February – The Forum, Towcester, NN12 6AF (12–5pm)
• Tuesday 10 February – Wootton Community Centre, Wootton, NN4 6ED (2–7:30pm)
• Wednesday 11 February – Middleton Cheney Village Hall, Middleton Cheney, OX17 2LT (12–4:30pm)
• Thursday 12 February – Mercure Hotel, Daventry, NN11 0SG (3–6:30pm)
• Thursday 19 February – Grosvenor Centre, Northampton, NN1 2EW (12:30–4:30pm)
• Wednesday 4 March – Long Buckby Community Centre, Long Buckby, NN6 7QB (3–7:30pm)
• Wednesday 11 March – Brackley Town Hall, Brackley, NN13 7AB (12:30–6pm)

All feedback received will be reviewed and used to shape the next stage of the Local Plan. A further draft plan is expected to be published in 2026, before being submitted for independent examination. Once adopted, the Local Plan will guide planning decisions across West Northamptonshire through to 2043.

Full details of the consultation and the online survey are available on the West Northamptonshire Council website at www.westnorthants.gov.uk/consultations

This is a key opportunity to help shape the future of West Northamptonshire, and everyone is encouraged to take part and have their say.